Goals from Millenic Alli and Adam Idah see Ireland defeat Real Murcia B
GOAL SCORERS: Millenic Alli is congratulated by Republic of Ireland team-mate Adam Idah. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile.
Goals from Millenic Alli and Adam Idah ensured the Republic of Ireland overcame Real Murcia B in a training match on Tuesday afternoon.
In a match designed to test tactical cohesion, Head Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson and his staff instructed the squad to replicate the team structure of a full international fixture with "the focus remaining firmly on defensive shape, sustained possession and intentional patterns of play" according to the FAI.
Ireland started with intent and thought they had taken the lead as early as the fifth minute. After a period of early dominance, Chiedozie Ogbene delivered a dangerous cross from the right, which Millenic Alli headed home from close range, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
The pressure continued in the 12th minute when Tayo Adaramola found space on the left. His cross eventually fell to Rory Finneran at the edge of the area, but the teenager’s goal-bound effort was well-blocked by the Murcia defence.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 18th minute. Jason Knight showed great tenacity to win the ball high up the pitch, sparking a slick move involving Andrew Moran and Adam Idah. The ball was fed to Alli, who showed composure to beat two defenders before finishing into the bottom corner.
Hallgrímsson introduced several changes for the second half, maintaining a high level of intensity. Tayo Adaramola continued to be a threat, curling an effort just past the post in the 55th minute before turning provider for substitute Tom Cannon in the 70th minute. Cannon produced a brilliant mazy run into the box, but his subsequent left-footed strike rattled the crossbar.
The second goal finally arrived in the 90th minute. Jayson Molumby won possession in the midfield and embarked on a driving run before sliding the ball into the path of Idah, who had been reintroduced for the final stages. The striker made no mistake, finishing clinically to seal a 2-0 victory.
“That’s the goal for this week. I think it’s up to me in training, doing what I can to impress and show that I can play at that level," said Rory Finneran.
“So I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully get some minutes. It’s a massively proud moment. Obviously, I didn’t really expect it, my late call-up, but a massive achievement for me and I am looking forward to the week.
“I knew a few players but it’s good to get around the lads to play in first team, professional, high level."
Josh Keeley (Killian Cahill 46); Dara O'Shea, Mark McGuinness, James Abankwah; Tayo Adaramola (Adam Idah 73), Jason Knight (Jayson Molumby 46), Rory Finneran (Conor Coventry 46), Chiedozie Ogbene; Andrew Moran (Jack Moylan 46), Millenic Alli (Aidomo Emakhu 46), Adam Idah (Tom Cannon 46).
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